Western Mountaineering Real World Experience?

[phall]

Anyone have some real world experience on temp ratings on WM bags? I'm leaning towards a 20, but thinking about a 15, as I had an unbearably cold night in the elk woods last year at ~20 degrees.
4.8r value pad, looking to see what might be the most comfortable down to 20 degrees. May just spring for the 15, but any thoughts!
thanks.

 

[JDB9818]

My personal experience is that WM bags are accurate on their temp ratings with the appropriate pad. I have had the Badger and now have a Sycamore, I couldn't be happier with either of them. The Badger would be a great 15 degree option.

My .02

 

[NDHUNTER24]

I love my badger. I cant compare to other bags though. I started with a cheap kelty then after a couple years upgraded. I haven't had a need to switch.

 

[justin davis]

WM bags are legit. Super high quality. Have always kept me warm well below their rating

 

[MT_Wyatt]

My experience is they are comfortable at their temp rating. Warmer than an average product rated at the same temperature. Sample size of 1 on WM though.

 

[Macintosh]

20* in a good tent is not the same as 20* in the open or a tarp. WM probably has the best reputation of any sleeping bag company on the planet, temp ratings are legit.
I might choose based on majority of use, ie if majority is at 50* and it just needs to cover a night or two at 20, then Id get the 20 and just add a hat, puffy, etc if needed. If majority of use is near 20, the 15 is probably a good call. Betting weight and packing volume are very similar.

 

[ThreeOhSeven]

A few years ago, after a few nights shivering in freezing temps, I ditched my Sierra Designs 20 and I bit the bullet on WM Antelope MF 5. Needless to say, I wish I had done it sooner.
Western Mountaineering doesn't do "comfort" ratings like a lot of bags. Their temperature ratings are accurate. I decided on the Antelope 5 because I know how quickly the temps can dip and chose an extra 10 degrees of comfort over 6ozs of weight and 2 inches of stuffed size.

 

[phall]

thanks for the insights!

 

[kwackkillncrew]

few years ago i was in the same boat, but was thinking either the badger or the kodiak. my buddy said you can always unzip the bag if you get to warm, so i went with the kodiak. Id rather carry a few more ounces and get to warm then be lighter and get cold at night.

 

[JohnnyB]

WM Badger here. Love it. Very roomy for a side sleeper.

 

[Samson7x]

I sleep cold and bought a 0 degree. Had it down to 14 for several nights with snow and I stayed nice and warm. Upgraded from a Nemo and there’s no comparison. Well worth the price IMO.

 

[Hatchet]

Another reason WM is worth the price is because of how long they last. You might buy 4 Marmot bags in the same timeframe as a WM.

 

[DESERT ED]

Sleep cold. Love my 15 degree Ponderosa. Haven't been cold in November in Moab and July in the mountains.

 

[ADKHTR]

After using cheap sleeping bags for many years the only regret I have with buying my WM bag is that I waited too long, if you have the money don’t even think twice about buying one, just do it!

 

[Yaremkiv]

With the Kodiak 0 degree bag I'm comfortable down to -10. With the Badger 15 degree bag I was comfortable at 15 but have yet to spend the night in the Badger in colder temps as it is new to me. Using a Thermarest Neoair Xtherm but have used the not great Klymit Static V Luxe pads and was just fine. Buy with confidence.

 

[Mangata]

I have had the Antelope for the last 20 years and it sleeps as well as it when it was brand new. Temperature rating seems accurate

 

[TheArdentOutdoorsman]

WM is top notch, their temp ratings are good to go

 

[WeiserBucks]

WM is great, Feathered Friends is also top notch if WM doesn't offer exactly what you're looking for.

 

[Lawnboi]

Good down sleeping gear is a true investment. Taken care of these bags can last a very long time, unlike a lot of gear we use.

I have never regretted any of my WM purchases. I use a megalite and versalite and find them to be usable down to their advertised limits.

 

[htlt_surfboards]

Like others have said western mountaineering temp ratings seem very accurate. I have an antelope 5 that I don’t think I’ve ever been cold in. My only complaint is that model is a little tighter than i would like when fully zipped up. They have the newer cloud lite 15 now that looks like a really great bag in terms of space and warmth.